Aston Villa player ratings as magical Morgan Rogers double secures Premier League win over Manchester United
It's about bloody time.
Unai Emery pays no mind to the negatives of history. They were on show at Villa Park but a fixture that’s occasionally won by fine, frustrating, infuriating margins went his team’s way for once.
Aston Villa defeated Manchester United at home in the Premier League. If you’re a Villa supporter, you don’t need any more context than that.
Emery has now led Villa to ten wins in all competitions and the seventh in a row in the league. They’re three points off the top of the table at Christmas. With facts like that to draw upon, one might argue that Gary Neville should have afforded them some focus.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
Gave United the ball back more than once with dopey distribution early on but claimed it to tidy up each time.
Excellent one-on-one stop to keep out Benjamin Šeško after the centre-backs let him through. Saved well from Matheus Cunha after Boubacar Kamara was dispossessed and made some necessary contributions in the second half.
Matty Cash - 5
Very combative on the press in the opening period and unfortunate to be penalised for a non-foul on Patrick Dorgu that would have led to a counter-attack. Made a major error that was the cause of the equaliser for 1-1 but made amends with a painful block to prevent a second equaliser.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Missed a header in the middle of the first half that Šeško might have turned into the opening goal. Made a vital block to thwart Bruno Fernandes just before half time.
Victor Lindelöf - 6
Won a corner with a deft left-footed clip in behind for Ollie Watkins in the 12th minute but, like Konsa, was defensively too vulnerable to United’s movement.
Ian Maatsen - 8
Defended well in an excellent individual first half, often under significant pressure, and was able to carry the ball out of trouble. Produced some good quality in possession. Substituted with quarter of an hour remaining.
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Amadou Onana - 7
Drove forward to tee up John McGinn after collecting the ball in the middle early in the game. A decent showing on the ball in the first half and showed off his anticipation skills in the second. Substituted in the last ten minutes.
Boubacar Kamara - 6
Several important early interventions with Villa in the midst of a sloppy start but was by no means immune to it. Dragged the ball forward at important moments but also gave it away in transition ten minutes into the second half, leading to a shot off-target. Substituted late.
Youri Tielemans - 8
Dispossessed an opponent to set up a positive attack in the early going and protected the ball well under pressure in a robust display in and out of possession. His persistence helped to make Villa’s second goal.
John McGinn - 8
Bustled on the right from the start and played an essential role in connecting and progressing the play. Forced a good save from Senne Lammens after seven minutes.
Often did an excellent job of protecting the ball and came up with some cracking aggressive runs and neat passes including an assist for Morgan Rogers. Substituted in the last ten minutes.
Morgan Rogers - 9
Perfect pass to send Watkins through inside the first five minutes. Went close to flicking in a Maatsen cross soon afterwards. His ability to received the ball in difficult situations was a vital outlet. Scuffed a shot with the chance opening up after half an hour but his quality was otherwise evident throughout.
Scored a genuinely world-class goal to make it 1-0. Unbelievable; that it was only possibly his best Villa goal speaks volumes. Then he did it again.
Ollie Watkins - 5
Early on, he provided another example of his habit of cutting back before shooting and wasting a good position. Barely had a kick after that in the first half but offered more of a presence early in the second and had a big impact for Villa’s second goal. Substituted with quarter of an hour remaining.
Substitutes
Donyell Malen (for Watkins, 75) - Came on and put in a shift but Villa were on the back foot. 5
Lucas Digne (for Maatsen, 75) - Part of Villa’s late resistance. 5
Emi Buendía (for Onana, 84) - Late substitute. N/A
Evann Guessand (for McGinn, 84) - Late substitute. N/A
Lamare Bogarde (for Kamara, 88) - Late substitute. Picked up a yellow card in stoppage time. N/A